Welcome Home Dolphin
by Dianne McConnell

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Maren the dolphin loves her family and their wide blue ocean home. But her brothers, Ben and Erik, are sick. How can she keep Mom and Dad from worrying about her, too? As she grows up in the shadow of loss, Maren works hard to be the perfect daughter—yet no matter how fast and strong she becomes, she still feels a bit lost. Only with the help of some wise ocean friends does she learn how to swim true to herself. Welcome Home, Dolphin is a book about slowing down and listening to our authentic selves. A helpful parent and teacher guide includes lessons on: • Understanding Emotions and Self-Worth • Slowing Down and Listening Within • Authenticity and Loneliness • Who Am I Now? • Discovering Inner Peace • Purpose and Joy • Listening to the Heart With Maren and her friends, we can all begin to know and love who we really are.

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Dianne McConnell started off as a teacher and completed her Ph.D. in special education. Over the years, she worked as a registered school psychologist, a vision consultant, and a director of student services in multiple school divisions. She led the Alberta provincial initiative for inclusion (Setting the Direction) and completed her career as the associate superintendent with the Parkland School Division. More important has been Dianne’s role as a parent. She is the mother of three children, a girl and two boys, with complex health conditions, including vision loss. The boys died in 2017 and 2019, respectively, from a devastating genetic disorder. Through her experience as an educator and a parent of children with severe disabilities, she understands the ongoing challenges families and practitioners face. Dianne has written three books about her family's journey: Inclusion, The Boys Who Listened to the Forest, and Could This be Grace? Welcome Home, Dolphin focuses on her daughter, who loves the water and has competed in the Ironman World Triathlon Championships. Today, Dianne lives in Nordegg, Alberta at the foot of the Rocky Mountains with her husband, Roy.

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Contributors

Author

Dianne McConnell

Artist

Carleen Ross

FriesenPress Editions